Raptors earn shot to meet Warriors

Toronto's 2nd-half rally lands team its first berth in championship series

Associated Press

Published
11:46 pm EDT, Saturday, May 25, 2019

Toronto

Kawhi Leonard had 27 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Toronto Raptors into the NBA Finals for the first time with a 100-94 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.

The Raptors overcame a 15-point deficit to win the series in six games and will play host to the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.

Pascal Siakam scored 18 points, Kyle Lowry had 17 and Fred VanVleet 14 for the Raptors, who used a 26-3 run late in the third quarter and early in the fourth to turn the game in their favor.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 21 points and 11 rebounds, but the NBA's top team in the regular season saw its bid for a first Finals berth in 45 years come to a disappointing end with a fourth consecutive defeat.

Down 76-71 to start the fourth, the Raptors tied it with an 8-2 run while Leonard and Antetokounmpo were both on the bench. Ibaka's dunk with 10:32 to go tied it at 78.

Antetokounmpo returned after a timeout, but Leonard kept sitting. That didn't matter to Toronto, with Siakam's basket giving the Raptors an 80-78 lead, their first lead since it was 6-3.

Leonard's one-handed slam after Lowry's steal gave Toronto an 87-79 lead with 6:46 to go before the Bucks responded. George Hill answered with a layup, Brook Lopez converted a three-point play and Antetokounmpo scored to cut it to 87-86 with 5:19 to go.

Lowry and Lopez swapped baskets before Gasol's 3 put the Raptors up 92-88 with 3:50 left. After another basket by Lopez, Leonard made a 3 to push Toronto's lead to 95-90 with 3:04 to play. It was Leonard's first 3 after missing his first seven attempts of the game.

Toronto made 12 of 27 3-point attempts, including four of eight in the fourth quarter.

Note: Brooklyn hired Jeff Peterson as its assistant general manager. Peterson replaces Trajan Langdon, who was hired as the New Orleans Pelicans' GM. Peterson spent seven seasons in the front office of the Atlanta Hawks, the last three as assistant general manager. He worked there with Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson, who was an assistant to coach Mike Budenholzer.

TORONTO, ONTARIO - MAY 25: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dunks the ball during the second half against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks in game six of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Scotiabank Arena on May 25, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) less

TORONTO, ONTARIO - MAY 25: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dunks the ball during the second half against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks in game six of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals ... more

Photo: Claus Andersen

Photo: Claus Andersen

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TORONTO, ONTARIO - MAY 25: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dunks the ball during the second half against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks in game six of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Scotiabank Arena on May 25, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) less

TORONTO, ONTARIO - MAY 25: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dunks the ball during the second half against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks in game six of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals ... more